State fines nursing homes for maltreatment of residents

Posted on behalf of Michael D'Amico of D'Amico & Pettinicchi, LLC on Oct 15, 2014 in Nursing Home Neglect

Most individuals are concerned about the care their loved ones receive. It may be this sentiment that prompts some residents of the state of Connecticut to place someone for whom they are responsible for, into a nursing home. In these types of settings individuals can receive care not only during the day, but when necessary, at night as well. While the level of care received is often acceptable, sometimes it does not meet the prescribed standards. In these situations it is possible that a resident can be hurt.

The state of Connecticut has taken action against six nursing homes operating within its boundaries. The facilities have been fined varying amounts by the Department of Health for issues with the care provided to residents.

The reasons behind the fines vary. In one case the fine is in response to a resident jumping out of a window. That individual, who already had a compression fracture of the spine, ended up with a broken leg. The reason for jumping out of the window was allegedly that the resident wanted to go home. The fine in that situation was $1,300.

At another facility one resident was burned by a hot towel while records were not kept regarding the care provided another resident who had a toe amputated. These situations resulted in a fine of $1,230 and probation for the nurse responsible for the nurse responsible for the hot towel.

A resident does not need to physically be harmed to be abused. This is illustrated by the fine a third nursing home received as a result of verbal abuse that directed at two residents. Contributing to the fine was also the fact that a nurse gave one of the residents the wrong medication. That nursing home was fined $1,300.

The three other nursing homes were fined for letting a resident wander off, letting one develop heel pressure sores and a serious cut on the leg a resident suffered.

If you have entrusted the care of a loved one to a nursing home and that care results in an injury to that person, you may be able to take legal action against the facility. Working with a lawyer is the best place to start.